Implementation of project of gas supply to Meghri and Agarak communities in Armenia to be launched in late February - early March

ArmInfo. Implementation of the project of gas supply to Meghri and Agarak communities in Armenia will be launched in late February - early March, according to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia. 

The equipment and materials necessary for the implementation of the project have already been delivered to Armenia and stored at Gazprom Armenia CJSC's warehouse. The remaining part of the devices and equipment will be obtained on the Armenian market. The general contractor of the project - Iranian Sunenergy Company - has already launched the activity.

Armenia and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on gas supply to Meghri and Agarak yet in December 2011.  Under the document, Iran pledged to provide a $2mln grant to Armenia. The latter agreed to provide tax preferences for the imported devices and equipment and other payments. The project was suspended for lack of financing and resumed at the end of the last year. Now, the contractor is being provided with the necessary permissions.  In this light, there was need to amend the Law on Licensing, which protracted the activities.  The law has been amended and the contractor will receive the permission to start and complete the construction of gas grid for Meghri and Agarak within 6-7 months.  Earlier, Hrant Tadevosyan, Deputy Direct - Chief Engineer at Gazprom Armenia CJSC, told ArmInfo gas supply to Meghri and Agarak, Armenian towns on border with Iran, will increase the number of gas consumers by 5,000. The gas supply systems will be transferred to the local communities that will make contracts with Gazprom Armenia CJSC, he said. According to Tadevosyan, the implementation of project was delayed for lack of financing. He hopes the project will be competed in the current year.